LET'S KEEP OUR HOPE ALIVE

Today, Zambia our motherland looks like a sinking boat. We are experiencing a lot of different problems.  And this is causing a lot of worry among everybody.  Even here this morning, as we gather in church to begin the holy season of Advent, we know that there are a lot of problems in our country.

There is political unrest in so many places, with bye-elections that sometimes erupt in violence.  There are current debates about reviewing the constitution, debates that are so confusing and painful. We see so many families who are nursing their sick relatives or burying their beloved ones. The teachers and civil servants have been on strike, demanding better wages to meet the needs of their families. The school children are worried about the examinations that they were not ready for.

Even life at some bus stops in town or in rural areas is not safe.  There is just so much violence!  And often we even fear that some law enforcement agents, the police and the magistrates, are not interested in protecting innocent people.   Their mischievous and infectious slogan is “Nchekeleko!”

In our rural areas, many farmers are worried about this planting season. They ask themselves very important questions.  Will I have the seeds I need?  Will the soil be properly prepared?  Will there be enough rain for my fields this year?  Will there be access to markets for the crops that I grow?

Indeed, for so many people in Zambia today, the situation looks so pathetic and painful!

That is why we need to pay close attention to the beautiful Scripture readings this morning on this first Sunday of Advent. In the first reading today the great prophet Jeremiah is telling us not to lose hope!  He lets the people of Israel know that God is very close and is very faithful to all the promises that he has made.

We can hear that encouraging message also today.  God has assured us of his involvement in the many different situations in our life today in Zambia. But before God can reconstruct our nation, we must begin by making the necessary changes in our own personal lives.

Therefore we should listen carefully to the instruction that Jesus gives us in the Gospel.   Our Lord is asking us not to remain caught up with all problems that surround us.  And also, we should not look for escapes from all these problems, we should not try to run away by distracting ourselves with worldly pleasures.  This might make us forget our problems for the moment – but for sure these problems will come back to us!

It’s true, isn’t it, that when life really gets difficult we can be tempted to escape into a wild life, drunkenness and shameful activities. The disco late at night can look more attractive than the home or the work place!

Today we hear a lot about such phrases in our popular talk.  The Cinyanja saying, Tiziyaka cabe! means let us have fun at all costs, no matter what!  Or there is a town Bemba saying, Ine ndesungapo, that tells us that riches and plenty of material possession are the answer to all my problems.

The late Nasheal Picheni Kazembe once sang a very popular song called Tizidya ndi kukumbukira zapatsogolo.  Its message was: eat now but remember there is a tomorrow yet to come!

We can’t reconstruct our communities or our nation of Zambia by playing a game of hide and seek.  We simply can’t escape all the problems by running away from them.  That is why we need to hear Jesus tell us in the Gospel this morning to stand erect, stay awake and pray at all times. It’s dangerous to join the sleeping brigade nowadays!

Today in politics, we often hear leaders speak about having a “Road Map” or a strategic plan for how to move into the future. In the second reading this morning, St. Paul gives us the true and effective road map to self-correction and community reconstruction.  He tells us that the Lord will increase the love that we have for each other and for all people. And while on this road, we must practice honesty and integrity in everything we do. Then through us and with us God will liberate us from all the hopelessness that we may be experiencing.

One of the very beautiful lessons in the church’s social teaching comes from Pope Paul the Sixth in 1967, when he reminded us that ”The future belongs to those who can give hope to the present!”  Here in Zambia today we need political leaders, church leaders, family leaders and local leaders who can build up hope for the future.

“Mwana wanchete olilila pansi.” That is a Nsenga proverb that urges even an orphan not to be lazy but to till the land in order to have a bright future.  Let us begin our Advent Season 2003 with such a wise message.  It can make a big difference in Zambia today and in the future!

SHORT SKETCH

We have the three unemployed young people; two of them are drunk and are loudly complaining that they have no job and are hungry.  So for them, the solution to their misery is: “Let us drink to forget our problems,” But a third young man is more optimistic.  He is carrying a hoe, and he is ready to start ploughing. He encourages his friends to accompany him and to work hard. Unfortunately they begin to shout at him and ridicule his willingness to go to work. So the two lazy ones go off their own way, hungry and hopeless and crying.  The hard working one goes farming, and before he does that, he even says a short prayer and then goes off smiling and singing.

Community Prayers

1.     God our Liberator, we pray for individuals who are having difficulties, that through our acts of charity their hope may be kept alive. Let us pray to the Lord, Lord hear us.

2.      Loving Lord, help us to practice honesty and integrity in everything we do so that we can build just communities.  Let us pray to the Lord, Lord hear us.

[Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection, P.O. Box 37774, 10101 Lusaka, Zambia]